Olympia Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Olympia is a name of Greek origin, meaning 'heavenly' or 'divine.' It is derived from Mount Olympus, the mythical abode of the gods. The name has evolved through history from Ancient Greek to Modern English. It is associated with traits of strength and elegance, and has no direct biblical relevance. The name gained popularity in the late 19th century, especially linked to the Olympic Games, and is favored for its classical resonance.
The name Olympia is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Olympia has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Olympia' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1086th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1912th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3170th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2559th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3047th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5632nd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2825th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Olympia' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Olympia"
Pronunciation
/əˈlɪm.pi.ə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Olympia is derived from Mount Olympus, which is known in Greek mythology as the home of the gods. The name itself is believed to be connected to the Greek word 'olympos,' meaning 'heavenly' or 'divine.'
Meaning
heavenly, divine
Language Evolution
Olympia (Ancient Greek), Olympia (Latin), Olympia (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in Western cultures. It is often associated with the Olympic Games, which have their roots in ancient Greece.
Variants & Derivatives
Olympe, Olympeia, Oly, Lympia
Modern Popularity & Image
Olympia is perceived as a strong and elegant name, often associated with athleticism and a classical heritage due to its ties to the Olympics. It has a unique and sophisticated image in modern contexts.
Famous People
Olympia Dukakis (American actress), Olympia Snowe (American politician), Olympia Brown (suffragist and minister)
Explore More Olympia Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Olympia"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Olympia"
"Olympia" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1086th of 9107 | 821 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1912th of 9204 | 341 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3170th of 12526 | 263 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2559th of 19264 | 476 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3047th of 27321 | 550 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 5632nd of 35406 | 353 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2825th of 30306 | 724 |
Regional Popularity of "Olympia" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Olympia" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
95.13% 1347th/1416 |
35.10% 484th/1379 |
- |
94.57% 1080th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
100.00% 1546th/1546 |
55.78% 868th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
68.81% 1672nd/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
85.12% 2500th/2937 |
66.75% 2325th/3483 |
62.31% 2192nd/3518 |
64.61% 2613th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
62.99% 2321st/3685 |
54.21% 2426th/4475 |
53.23% 2765th/5194 |
59.54% 3761st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
83.15% 4294th/5164 |
94.65% 6922nd/7313 |
80.54% 6011th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
92.70% 3693rd/3984 |
41.01% 1840th/4487 |
52.48% 3580th/6822 |
35.26% 2213th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Olympia"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Olympia" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.